If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

How to remove paint from metal hinges

Hello,

This isnít a woodworking question per se, but itís close, since Iím doing woodworking on this project. If the moderators think that it should be moved to another forum, please do so.

Iím in the process of repairing and repainting my garage doors, and all of the metal hinges have layers of paint on them. Iíd like to remove the hinges, one at a time, and soak them in something to remove the paint. Itís latex paint (I think).

What would you recommend that I soak the hinges in to remove the paint?

I have soakes painted hinges in Lacquer thinner overnight. I still had to clean them with a steel brush. Brass came out looking to cloudy to leave unpainted. If I were to do it again, I would, after soaking, wrap the hinges in window screening and go to town with a pressure cleaner.

Instead of a highly-volatile solvent like lacquer thinner, use Brush and Roller Cleaner instead. It's roughly the same cocktail of solvents, but doesn't evaporate as quickly. After you let them soak for some time, use a stiff, nylon or brass-bristle brush to scrub off the paint.

If its just latex, something mild should do the trick, but if you need to use stripper, Aircraft Stripper, which I've gotten at Autozone in the past, will take any paint off. But it will eat plastic and will burn your skin, so you need to be careful.

I think Roger has it right. I've had very good luck just using boiling water. It softens many layers and isn't harmful to your skin or the environment.

Of course you can use any caustic you want, but when you start brushing on it get off the small areas that may stick, you always end up with something either on your skin or in your eye. Never liked working with any kind of stripper.

Hot water works really well for latex paint, without damaging the surface of the metal under it.

The other thing I've used is a latex paint remover, Goof Off or something like that, found in the paint aisle at Lowes, Home Depot and ACE. It works best for paint overspray and drips where you can't soak the item in hot water.

I used an old crockpot with water and dishwashing soap. I left them overnight and all the paint comes right off. It leaves the hinges/hardware with a nice "tarnish" and does not make them shiny, which i liked.

Thanks for all of the replies. I've been using the boiling water method that many of you suggested, and it's working well. I do have to use a wire brush or steel wool pad to get the small amount of remaining paint off, but it's working fine.
Thanks again. I always get great help from this forum, and I appreciate all of you.

I have done the hot water as well works like a champ. Take on old crock pot fill with water and hinges handles ect. and set on high overnight. Next day you can rub the paint off with your fingers (I used a brass brush).